Tempered Enthusiasm
by Becca H on Jan 25, 2010 3:30 PM EST
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PrintThere have been times in the past where a Capitals win over a hated rival (Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, etc.) would be enough to set off week-long celebrations. It was like the hockey version of a sugar high - no matter where the respective teams were in the standings or in the season, a win like that always seemed to be cause for unbridled giddiness.
The first meeting with and subsequent win over Pittsburgh this season, however, yielded much different results. It was a great victory and one that produced more than a few smiles among Caps fans – it was, after all, the Penguins. But enthusiasm was notably restrained nonetheless. There seemed to be an unspoken understanding that this game was just what we told ourselves it was going in: one game out of 82, one game that proves nothing and decides nothing, a good win but nothing more.
It’s all part of what seems to be a rather businesslike approach to the season overall - a win does not signal the planning of the parade any more than a loss means a certain first round exit. You can see it in every facet of Caps fandom, a palpable agreement that regular season glory is not the ultimate goal and should not be celebrated as such. As fellow Rink writer Pepper noted, there is a feeling of "zen contentment" that permeates CapsNation.
Even among the players there’s this sense that the regular season is just a stepping stone. Postgame interviews after a loss are downright scary; after a win they’re all business. Once exuberant goal celebrations are more subdued, more of an "okay, that’s one, time to get another" nature…even from the captain himself (although subdued is a relative measurement when it comes to #8).
It’s certainly not a bad thing. This franchise has grown in leaps and bounds since the lockout, and as its grown so our approach to the season has changed. We’ve gone from being happy just to win a game here and there to demanding better, more frequent wins; from appreciating the pure magic of a playoff spot to demanding more than a first or second round exit.
With a 19 point lead in the division, the most in franchise history, it would be easy for this team to coast into the playoffs on the strength of an automatic 3rd seed – but it seems like neither fans nor players are content to coast anymore. We all simply demand more, and that requires a kind of focus and determination that will not accept the minor victories in place of the major one. It's been a long time since expectations - and abilities - have been so high for this organization.
Before the Pittsburgh game last week, we were reminded – constantly and painfully – of last year’s disappointing Game 7, of the ultimate result of a postseason gone wrong. And the return of the Caps to Mellon Arena was touted by many around the organization as a benchmark game for Washington.
It definitely was just that, a benchmark game. Not because the Penguins are a better, tougher team or because the Caps can’t skate with them – quite the opposite. It’s true because, for better or for worse, the Pens are the Stanley Cup Champs. It’s true because meeting them at this point in the season can only strengthen that focus and resolve, and serve as a reminder of what this team wants to accomplish. How this team approached such a potentially emotional game, how they reacted to the outcome and how they followed it up would go a long way toward telling us exactly what we have here.
That postgame rhetoric was just as even-tempered and dismissive as it was going in is telling, as is the fact that they came out and put together a hard-working, blue collar win just two days later. And so is the fact that the now six-game winning streak is just another moment in the season for Caps fans - albeit a tenuously exciting one. We're happy with where we are but not satisfied. Not by a long shot.
Because as Eric Fehr so honestly and succinctly put it before the Penguins game, "[t]hey stole what we wanted". It's how we all feel. Players, fans, coaches, everyone - they stole what we wanted.
And until we get it? It's all business, baby.
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Caps finally have enough experience and maturity to truly understand the importance of postseason success and the forgettable nature of regular season success. Winning the division hasn’t earned them much respect outside of the Southeast.
I hate saying "regular season means nothing" because if that’s really true, what’s the point of the 82 games a year I spend my time, money and energy on?
Exactly. If the regular season means nothing then why do I always groan a little when I see the monthly charge for my tickets? Like everyone else, I Iove watching hockey, especially the way the Caps play it (thank God I’m not a Blue Jacket fan), so every game is like Christmas to me. Having that 19 point cushion takes a lot of the stress out of every win or loss and has really allowed me to enjoy the games for what they are. Ultimately though, like the players, success will be measured in a Stanley Cup and that’s why Varly’s injury scares the hell out of me. If he doesn’t regain full health, I could see another second round and done and all these regular season heroics could end up meaning nothing.
I remember sitting in my seats a decade ago and being mesmerized by how well teams like Detroit, Colorado, and New Jersey skated. Everything in place, like clockwork. And then thinking ‘yeah, that would be nice’ after watching Oates flub a pass or Simon blow a play.
And this week it hit home: the Caps ARE that team I so envied for so long. Watching them against Pittsburgh and Phoenix was magic.
Eyes on the prize for sure, but I can’t help but grin wide every game, knowing how far they’ve come.
by shank_sandwich on Jan 25, 2010 4:01 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
For me, the biggest transformation has been that we’re no longer the team for whom every opponent dresses their backup goalie!
by Kerry Fraser's Hairspray on Jan 25, 2010 4:02 PM EST up reply actions
Oh, yeah…the end to the backup goalie parade was a nice vote of confidence.
And shank, I’m completely with you – for me it’s always been Detroit, particularly in the last 5 years as we’ve been rebuilding. The way they skated, passed, had a complete team – enviable. I get the same feeling with this team, that they’re really something special.
Though way too many teams are dressing in their hideous third jerseys for my taste. I’m looking at you, Atlanta Thrashers.
IS KEPTIN NOW
I’m pretty sure I’m the only one in all of creation that likes their third jerseys a lot better than their blue-on-blue home unis. Can’t stand those things.
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on Jan 25, 2010 4:23 PM EST up reply actions
An island with space for two.
Ovechkin = Green Backs
by red army line on Jan 25, 2010 4:35 PM EST up reply actions
But he’ll remain alone because those jerseys are awful.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
Can’t stand the blue. Too much like the Pens’ powder blues. At least the font is cool
Ovechkin = Green Backs
by red army line on Jan 25, 2010 4:38 PM EST up reply actions
FWIW, we saw them twice because it was decided at the start of the year that they were going to wear them for all Thursday (or whatever day of the week we played them twice in a row) home games. It’s just a matter of coincidence that the Caps fell on those dates twice.
by sixsevenfiftysix on Jan 25, 2010 5:56 PM EST up reply actions
me and Mr. Bird were talking about this the other night. he claims that no matter how good the Caps are, and he admits that they are, they’re still not at that point that the “great” Detroit teams were. Those team, you always knew they were going to make the pass, tape-to-tape. They weren’t going to flub the clear. There’s something a little bit chaotic, and little bit of that just barely on this side of “out of control” element to the Caps.
To which I agreed and said “But they’re damn fun to watch, aren’t they? Got that element of surprise thing down cold.”
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit
On Draper having to wear a USA jersey at practice: "well at least the Wings can settle bets without involving gold plated desert eagles!"
You know what? There’s something to that – because I think it adds to the charm of this team, strange as that sounds. Sure, Ovie or Green will fail to hold the puck in and an odd-man break will ensue, something that rarely happened to those great Wings teams…but I don’t remember any Wings flinging themselves across the ice to bat the puck away.
It’s that high-risk, high-reward element that this team brings to more of an extent than some of those old great teams. Makes ‘em exciting! As long as it doesn’t cost us a game/series/the Cup. Ahem.
absolutely. The Caps are certainly the most thrilling team to watch in a long long time (maybe ever?) Somehow, that “chaotic” aspect to the team just feels right when you’ve got the Wild Man of Russia and Canada’s Leading Gangsta as stars.
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit
On Draper having to wear a USA jersey at practice: "well at least the Wings can settle bets without involving gold plated desert eagles!"
They really look like the 1980s Oilers. Man, that team could fly.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jan 25, 2010 4:32 PM EST up reply actions
This. I keep thinking of the Oilers when I watch these Caps
"Bobby. Can you fly, Bobby?" -Clarence
"Clarence, no!" - Bobby
Trade away the one and only person that could spur the growth of hockey here in the USA?
"Bobby. Can you fly, Bobby?" -Clarence
"Clarence, no!" - Bobby
Helping out the greater North American community. King Clancy Award to Sather (?) ?
Ovechkin = Green Backs
by red army line on Jan 25, 2010 4:39 PM EST up reply actions
Depends who you ask. If you’re a Canuck I doubt they’d think he deserves that award.
"Bobby. Can you fly, Bobby?" -Clarence
"Clarence, no!" - Bobby
Peter Pocklington does not own the Caps (thankfully)
For every action, there is an equal and opposite criticism.
by Rather Bengt on Jan 25, 2010 8:52 PM EST up reply actions
ha. thanks for the nightmares I’m going to have tonight
"My left hand has pretty much turned into a claw anyway."
by Christoph J on Jan 25, 2010 10:10 PM EST up reply actions
I just wonder if this team could actually be a tiny bit better, just because we’re managing to put these numbers up in a post-Butterfly era.
by DrinkingPartner on Jan 25, 2010 4:35 PM EST up reply actions
In an absolute sense, I think there are many teams right now that are “better” than those Oilers. Goaltending is the obvious thing that has improved, but physical training, equipment, systems, etc. are all obviously so far improved that even the best old teams would have trouble keeping up.
But I have do doubt that Gretzky would still have been the greatest, even if he’d been born 20 years later. He just would have gone about it in a slightly different way.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jan 25, 2010 5:02 PM EST up reply actions
They’ll be “great” once they keep it up for 10 years or so.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
Honestly I think we have to redefine what “great” means in the salary cap era – 10 years of consistently high performance just isn’t realistic (although I don’t know for sure, since we’re only 5 years in).
Well, who’s been good consistently for the past 5 years? The Devils, the Red Wings, the… um… uh…
So, I don’t think your comment is invalid.
by DrinkingPartner on Jan 25, 2010 4:44 PM EST up reply actions
The Canadians must have a juggernaut building. All those All Star starters….and look! No one has supplanted them this year.
Budding dynasty, it’s got to be.
"You're gonna eat that g**d**n Koho, three!"
Mine? How so? I’d qualify the Wings as being great in the last 5 years. But look at what’s happened to the Cup finalists since the lockout (w/ the exception of Det and Pitt).
Once you win it’s hard to keep the old gang together – the first team to figure out how in the salary cap era will be the first dynasty of said era.
Carolina has largely kept the gang together. Unfortunately, the gang is old.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
Right, should have phrased that “kept the old gang together and stayed good…let alone relevant” ;)
Although that old gang did put quite a beating on the Bruins last night………look out, here come the Hurricanes!
I thought you were right. I think that the platform has changed so much that it’s going to be difficult for teams to really build dynasties. So teams of this era are going to need to be judged differently and on an amended time scale.
by DrinkingPartner on Jan 25, 2010 4:53 PM EST up reply actions
Well, the Caps are ripe for a fall in the Southeast, right?
Right?
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on Jan 25, 2010 4:58 PM EST up reply actions
Ineed; on the contrary, we’re now one of those teams against whom nobody dares dress their backup. That’s nicer still.
No Alex, no ratings. Know Alex, know ratings.
ROFL. True story.
My wish for the regular season, now: A Papa John’s pizza with everything on it that still doesn’t cover all the goals we get.
No Alex, no ratings. Know Alex, know ratings.
Did it against Boston not too long ago.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
Yeah, that’s why I asked: I figured this hurdle had been cleared.
by DrinkingPartner on Jan 25, 2010 4:48 PM EST up reply actions
Was that a Sunday game? I just want to see what happens to a pizza with that much stuff on it.
No Alex, no ratings. Know Alex, know ratings.
no, it was a weeknight game.
Kung-fu Rink Rabbit
On Draper having to wear a USA jersey at practice: "well at least the Wings can settle bets without involving gold plated desert eagles!"
Thought so. I want it on a night where I can see what happens to a pizza with everything on it without breaking the bank.
(Disclaimer: Food experimentation was a college pastime for me and my friends like drinking is for some.)
No Alex, no ratings. Know Alex, know ratings.
My local Papa John’s won’t put more than 7 toppings on a pizza, since they say it won’t cook properly if you do. Yes, I’ve tried!
by Kerry Fraser's Hairspray on Jan 25, 2010 5:12 PM EST up reply actions
Yup. YMMV at your own Papa John’s, but that’s the story I got at mine.
by Kerry Fraser's Hairspray on Jan 25, 2010 6:09 PM EST up reply actions
got one with 9 free toppings a couple mondays ago. Ravens fan appreciation thing.
Because now I can justify browsing and commenting during the work day with the argument that I am promoting my business.
by Sombrero Guy on Jan 25, 2010 10:24 PM EST up reply actions
Honestly, meat pizza’s are easier to cook correctly than veggie pizzas. 10 veggie toppings makes my stomach queezy. Vegetables have way too much water in them, creating some really nasty, soggy cooking characteristics on a pizza.
by HateOffSeason on Jan 25, 2010 9:12 PM EST up reply actions
That is one hell of a great first comment. Welcome!
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jan 25, 2010 4:14 PM EST up reply actions
LOL, thanks! Just got home from work and checked the thread – wow! Howdy, all. :)
by shank_sandwich on Jan 25, 2010 7:16 PM EST up reply actions
did G.O.D. just drop his avator guard?
"...I got the most gentlemanly player in juniors my last year. I'm a gentleman, always a gentleman." - Matt Bradley, 1/20/10
I figured we’d mention it around shank’s 3rd comment or so. You know, it’s nice to be welcoming first and all.
But as long as we’re talking avatars, I think this would be a good one:
http://z.about.com/d/culinaryarts/1/0/s/H/-/-/shank400.jpg
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jan 25, 2010 10:54 PM EST up reply actions
What tempers the excitement for me is knowing that so rarely does regular season domination translate to postseason success. Teams that excel in the regular season often peak too soon, or get content with the way they’re playing and become unable to turn things up a notch or adjust their game in the playoffs.
We heard a lot about the Red Wings’ “4 cups in 11 years” excitement. What’s so monumental about that is of course, not the 4 cups in 11 years, but the fact that the Wings’ – who dominated the regular season from 1994 until 2009 – in those other 7 years, so often defined postseason collapse. Vastly superior Red Wings teams lost to one-shot wonders like the Kings, Ducks and Oilers in early rounds. The team that won 62 (pre-shootout) games in 95-96 lost in the conference finals to Colorado.
While I am loving this regular season, this is what worries me. The Caps are built on a foundation just as strong as the Red Wings. But I don’t think I can take it if this team is going to blow first-round series to the Rangers (like they almost did last year) every year. This post-season is going to be nervewracking.
by katzistan on Jan 25, 2010 4:03 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
i've noticed that re: celebrations
I can’t see this year’s team pulling off that hug-and-tumble routine after a third-period goal in a losing contest like they did against (team i can’t remember) last year. Ovie doesn’t even do the board-slam that much any more. Very workmanlike, this team.
New Jersey. I remember that celebration. And I loved seeing that kind of thing, but I’m happy to have the memories (and archived footage) if it means this team is growing up and is ready to take the next step.
Here is a link to the famous NJ goal. It starts about 1:30 in. Was fun watching it all over again.
"We take the shortest route to the puck and arrive in ill humor." - Bobby Clarke
Sorry I can’t figure out how to include a link. Here is the link info.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lPtfs7FFWk
"We take the shortest route to the puck and arrive in ill humor." - Bobby Clarke
great moment
that goal was well worth that sort of celebration. It was the Carolina one I was referring to.
by DonnieKnutts on Jan 26, 2010 12:20 AM EST up reply actions
I think you’re talking about 2 different things…the game at NJ was the crazy comeback/celebration/etc, the game vs CAR was a huge celebration over a meaningless game when we were already getting blown out.
by Kerry Fraser's Hairspray on Jan 25, 2010 4:41 PM EST up reply actions
Work yet to do.
This is the image I use to document each victory’s awardee of the infamous Red Hard Hat. I looked at a LOT of pix of red hard hats before I chose this one.
The qualities of this image that fit the Caps’ season so far:
- The iron set of the jaw and shoulders squared to the future. The day’s work might be over, but the job surely isn’t.
- The tools still at hand. Miles to go and all that.
- The presence of fellow workers. The task is bigger than any one man, and cooperation and coordination are the keys to success. A good individual effort today is a steppingstone to team success tomorrow.
IS KEPTIN NOW
by EmilyB on Jan 25, 2010 4:05 PM EST reply actions 6 recs
The tools still at hand.
“It’s only a finger,” he says, shrugging. “I got four screws in the middle finger [years ago]. It worked out all right. My left hand has pretty much turned into a claw anyway.”
"Bobby. Can you fly, Bobby?" -Clarence
"Clarence, no!" - Bobby
Excellente
Rec’d for eloquently summing up my mood as a Caps’ fan lately … and this season in particular.
Great job Becca
"Bobby. Can you fly, Bobby?" -Clarence
"Clarence, no!" - Bobby
We are very lucky that Becca joined us formally over here. This is what she does so well — taking a pulse of team and community. Great stuff.
We’re happy with where we are but not satisfied. Not by a long shot.
Were you consciously channeling Ted Leonsis here? Because this could easily have been the closing line of one of his classic tempered celebration posts on Ted’s Take.
Did you write this line because the team is taking on Ted’s character so well? Because we as fans are starting to take on Ted’s character?
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jan 25, 2010 4:21 PM EST up reply actions
Because we as fans are starting to take on Ted’s character?
Whoa. It’s like I just looked through the other end of the telescope.
IS KEPTIN NOW
Aw, shucks…thanks, G.O.D. Hey, a girl’s gotta do something around here when she doesn’t understand prefers not to deal w/ Corsi numbers, right?
And…I very well may have, wow. Now that you mention it I’m fairly certain he’s used that line about eleventy billion times in the last three years! (Do you think he’ll sue??)
I think he’ll smile. I don’t think Ted claims any intellectual property over that particular sentiment. In fact, I rather suspect he wishes everyone would live their lives that way.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jan 25, 2010 4:33 PM EST up reply actions
If it means less “Schultz blows” hatemail for him, yes.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
Penguins lose on the ice and on the cake
When you dance with the devil, you wait for the song to stop.
Perspective
Yeah, folks—nice post, Becca! :-). And since I’ve been watching this team since the earliest days—long before most (all?) of you were born…I have plenty of experience with this phenomenon. The regular season just tests your ability to go from
team to team—teams with different styles and skills and chemistry—and adjust your game plan each time. Your knowledge of your opponents waxes and wanes. But when you get to the playoffs, you’re facing a team that you get to know well, and that gets to know you well, too. So success comes less from scouting and more from digging and just plain hard work. That said, I’m more optimistic than ever that this year’s Caps are built to meet that special playoff challenge. GMGM knows what he’s doing—
I feel perfectly condescended to.
Doesn’t detract from your salient points, though!
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
The past was better.
Except when you’re a Caps fan, it wasn’t.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jan 25, 2010 6:20 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Are you saying that the Gould Old Days weren’t the good old days?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Back in the 1970s and 80s, when players respected each other?
Let’s just say I love Dennis Maruk and Mike Gartner and Peter Bondra, but they ain’t got nothin’ on Alex Ovechkin.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jan 25, 2010 7:12 PM EST up reply actions
From Captain Clark on the first line
to Southeast division champs before the end of winter. From Jagr to Ovy. We come a long way people.
by Area 51 Forever on Jan 25, 2010 7:13 PM EST reply actions
One year ten months. He turned 22 in Nov.
"We take the shortest route to the puck and arrive in ill humor." - Bobby Clarke
“We’re happy with where we are but not satisfied. Not by a long shot. "
That quote truly encapsulates the Caps organization to the bone. I’ve watched them for 10 years now, I went to Game 3 of the only Stanely Cup appearance the organization ever had back in 98-99. Back then for such a run of the mill, non-important, DC franchise, no one seemed to care that the Caps were running the league, winning games we should lose, and as so many pointed out back then the empty arena’s during playoff games was hideous to see. Then by the time the Caps, carried by my favorite cap of all time Olie “the Goalie” Kolzig on his run to a Veniza Award, got to the Stanely Cup the fans just seemed happy to be there, if not surprised.
The Boudreau era of Caps hockey has suffered the same feeling of “hey we’re just happy to be here” and it was indeed surprising to see the Caps turn everything around and play to their potential the first half season with the Bouds. Last season the attitude seemed to be “lets prove we belong there.” This year, the city is behind a hockey team so much so we chant Go Caps at Redskins Games, and everyone around the city both new to the team and a close follower feel, as so adequately put by this years spring training t-shirts, This is Our Time!
Recently everyone has said how the Caps have matured so much, winning a close game against the Flyers, showing determination to compete against the Wings, and grit to stay focused and beat the Penguins. But the entire season is a “coming to adulthood” for the team. The fans and analyzers are tougher to win, the players are tougher on themselves too. Caps fans rip players for an untimely 3rd period penalty, or just having 2 penalties in a game. Early on we ripped the team for being unable to finish to the 3rd and play a full game of hockey (even though stats at that point said the team overcame not scoring first, or trailing into the 2nd more so than many other teams).What we now have is an organization and following rabid on the result. We don’t celebrate winning single games, or push for Capn Ovie be the mvp, again, or being mellow dramatic about Mike Green not making Team Canada. We all want to see June hockey, no we don’t want to see June hockey, we want to be apart of June hockey.
No matter how this season ends, this determination is going to stick in the players and in the fans, after all we have so little to believe in these days(as far as DC sports go). The next couple years are going to be exciting, this I am sure of.
People are stupid, a person is smart. This leads me to believe there must be at least one smart hockey fan in Philly.
Re: your first paragraph, I just wonder how much of this is looking to the past with um, mud-colored glasses? I remember that 98 run well, and the city was psyched about the Caps. Were there empty seats in the playoffs? I went to game 1 of the conference finals, and I don’t remember any. The Post building had a giant “Let’s Go Caps” banner hanging off of it.
That was a stacked team – Oates, Bondra, Juneau, Gonchar, Olie – and the fans loved them no less than we love OV, Laich, Green, Backstrom these days. After that Cup appearance, there was no one saying “we were just happy to be here” but there was a lot of “next year, we’ll get ’em” and there was no reason not to believe it, the team was certainly worthy. Of course, that team then tanked and missed the playoffs, and everyone forgot about the Caps. Then Jagr, more tanking, then OV, and here we are.
Only point is, we’ve had teams that were capable of winning and wanted to win before and a fan base that was excited about them, it’s not like the Caps just appeared out of the desert for the first time.
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